One-man orchestra



S p 2, 1930. P. T. F. CENCi 1,774,744

ONE-MAN ORCHESTRA Filed May 9, 1929 IN VEN TOR.

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Patented Sept. 2, 1930 PATENT OFFICE PAUL T. F. CENGI, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA ONE-MAN ORCHESTRA Application filed May 9,

This invention relates to a one man orchestra and embodies an electrically controlled apparatus which enables one musician to operate simultaneously plurality of musical instruments.

One object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated which embodies improved means for positively and depei'idably operating the various musical instruments included, without confusion or difficulty on the part of the musician.

A further object is to provide improved means for assembling and disassembling the parts of the apparatus for transporting them from one point to another and for separating certain of the musical instruments any desired distance from each other, and yet providing a sufiiciently remote control for the instruments that are operated at a distance from the musician.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved toot-ope "ated means whereby the musician will play an organ, piano, or other instrument with his feet while having his hands, arms, and legs free to op erate other musical instruments at the same time.

Other objects and advantages may herein-- alter appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate what is at present deemed to be a preferred embodiment,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete apparatus, some of the musical instruments being shown slightly in perspective for clearness of illustration. In this view the electrical connections and devices are indicated in a somewhat diagrammatic manner.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of certain of the operating devices illustrating the manner in which the same are operated by the legs of the musician.

Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating the key board operating means.

Fig. 4: is a sectional enlargement of the solenoid shown in the lower port-ion of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 5 designates a suitable standard which is surmounted by the musicians seat 6 underneath which is located within the lower portion of 1929. Serial No. 361,659.

said standard a bass drum 7, a snare drum 8 being located between said bass drum and said seat.

Said seat 6 is located. near a piano 9 hav ing keys 10 which the musician can play with his feet when he occupies said seat.

The means whereby the musician operates the bass drum include a solenoid 15 the windings of which are arranged in such a manner that its plunger 16 may be actuated at two different amounts of force in order to strike the head of drum 7 with a light or heavy stroke. To this end said solenoid is wired with two different circuits, one circuit comprising the leads 20 and 21 while another of the windings of said solenoid is supplied through the leads 22 and 23. These various leads are provided with suitable sockets 24 and push plugs 25, in order that the leads of these circuits may be shortened or extended as desired.

The above described leads 20 and 21 have their upper ends respectively connected with switch arm 26 and switch base 27, while the leads 22 and 23 are respectively led up to switch arm 28 and switch base 29. The switch formed by the arm 26 and base 27 is located in advance of the switch formed by the arm 28 and base 29, these switches being so constructed and arranged that the musician can contact them independently of each other with the side portion of the leg at that side of his body. Said seat is illustrated as a sub- Sttll'ltlfllly horizontal board or plate and the switch operating means 26, 28 and 30 (see Fig. are mounted upon and upstand from said member being thus positioned for operation by lateral movement of the musicians limbs.

At the other side of his seat is located a switch for operating the snare drum 8, said switch comprising a switch arm 30 and a switch base 31 which are respectively connected with the leads 32 and 33, thus supplying current to the solenoid 34 the plunger 35 of which operates said snare drum.

Current supply leads and 41 and 40 and 41 are provided for the solenoid 15 of the bass drum, and current supply leads 42 and 48 are provided for the solenoid 35 of the snare drum. The current supplied to the solenoid 1.5 is 7 switch 1nd the current supplied to the solenoid 'rcu t trom the amply side to the windleferriug' in deta to the construction win in Fig. the eyboard of the piano is operated by a plurality o1 octa sounding devices each of which has 111 upstanding operating arm or plunger 61, a cross piece (3;: downwardly extending fingers G3 operaiing the wnite or lower keys of the keyboard and shorter rearwardly located lingers (it for operating; the upper or black keys of the keyboard.

67 and G8 are the main supply wires.

In addition to the musical instruments which have alr ady been describerh a horn '70 may be controlled by switch 71 located lack of the elbow ot' the musician and in circuit with the leads 72 and 78, and orchestral bells T5 in circuit with leads 76 and 77 may be operatet by means of a switch 78 when the operator sways the trunk portion of his body forwardly and backwardly.

Claims:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a seat comprising; a transversely extending me: iber adapted to support a musician. two switches locat d at the same side of said seat, said switches being mounted upon and up- .--;tandin 1 from said member and a so being provided with operating arms so constructed and arranged that they may be independently operi ed by lateral outward movements 01 the musicians leg, electrical conductors prodding a circuit for each of said switches, and n eans whereby ach of said circuits when closed produces a definite musical ell'ect.

described,

ups

h in operating arm, one of said operrms beine positioned, with relation to the leg of a musician seated upon said seat to be engaged by the side of his leg at one point and the arm of the other of said switches being positioned to be engaged by the side of he musicians leg at a different distance from his body, a two stage solenoid,

one of said stages when energized causing the solenoid to act with greater force than the force produced by the other stage, a resonant musical instrument and striking means to sound said instrument, said striking means being operatively related to said solenoid to be actuated thereb at two di'l'l'erent degrees ot" force according: to which coil of said solenoid is actuated by the aforementioned switches.

23. In an appiuratus of the class described, a support for a musicians body comprising 2 seat. proper, having an edge portion positioned to permit the limbs of the musician to extend thereover, a switch having an op- Plfltlllfl' arm wnich upstai'ids from said seat proper adjacent said edge portion thereof in position to be engaged laterally by the limbs of the musician when seated upon said seat proper to close said switch, and a musical instrument the operation of which is controlled by the opening and closing of said switch.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature.

PAUL T. F. CENCI. 

